5 Best Car to Car Walkie Talkies for Road Trips – A Buyers Guide

Have you ever been on a road trip with your family or friends and want to stay connected, but there’s no cell phone service?

It can be frustrating when you’re on a road trip and can’t stay connected with the people you’re traveling with. Not being able to communicate easily can lead to missed opportunities for fun and make the trip more stressful.

A set of car-to-car walkie talkies is the perfect solution for staying connected while on a road trip.

With these walkie talkies, you’ll be able to keep in touch with each other without relying on cell phone service. This will help keep everyone relaxed and stress free during the trip.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything about walkie talkies; from benefits and factors to consider before purchasing a pair of walkie talkies, and later we will review five of our best picks. Read on to learn more.

Benefits of Using Car to Car Walkie Talkies

With the prevalence of smartphones, many drivers have given up on car-to-car walkie-talkies.

However, they have many advantages, especially for those who don’t want to be tethered to their phone while driving. Some of these benefits include:

1. Adaptability

A walkie-talkie has a speaker that makes speaking to a large group easy. Therefore, you can easily communicate in a noisy environment and are hands-free.

They are convenient when a group of people needs to listen to the one who gives instructions, for example, when doing team-building activities.

2. Unlimited Communication

Walkie-Talkies have no call charges or limit on talk time. They are reliable when hiking or traveling in areas with poor or no cellular signal. This comes in handy in case of an emergency to call for help or find people who are lost.

3. Ease of Use

Walkie-talkies are simple and easy to use. It just has a single button to initiate communication. The push to talk button makes it easy even for kids to communicate with each other or with their parents.

4. Pocket Friendly

Walkie-talkies don’t need monthly charges or minutes to call. There is no worry about the call duration or per-minute charges.

By virtue of them communicating to a large group at once, all team members are not required to have individual devices since their inbuilt speaker is audible to a large group. Whats more, you do not have to budget for calling expenses when on a road trip or safari.

5 Best Car to Car Walkie Talkies for a Road Trip

Having a car to car walkie-talkie system can make your next road trip more enjoyable. By being able to communicate with the other drivers in your group, you’ll be able to avoid any confusion or problems that may arise.

Make sure to test out your walkie talkies before you hit the open road! Below are the five best road trip walkie talkies in the market that we always recommend to our custommers.

1. Motorola Talkabout T402 (Best Overall)

The best overall car-to-car walkie-talkie is the Motorola T402 Two-Way Radio. It is ideal for road trips because it has a decent range of 2 miles on the go, 6 miles on open water, and up to 35 miles in a direct line of sight. This is very impressive.

The most outstanding feature of this model is its waterproof design. In addition, it comes with a built-in flashlight, allowing you to use it at night.

The other outstanding feature is that it comes with 11 weather channels. This makes it great for keeping up with varying weather conditions and outdoor use.

It is worth mentioning that USB rechargeable batteries last around 8.5+ hours between charges. However, you can also use disposable batteries because they can last for 21 hours.

Most enthusiasts recommend this model because it is designed to consume less power. In addition, it is very affordable.

The only downside is that you need a flathead screwdriver to gain access to the battery compartment.

Pros

• It is available at an affordable price
• It comes with rechargeable batteries
• It is designed to consume less power
• It comes with 11 weather channels
• It comes with a flashlight

Cons

• It is not entirely waterproof

2. Midland GXT1030VP4 (Best Long Range Radio)

The Midland GXT1030VP4 is a reliable, hands-free car-to-car walkie-talkie. The design of this model makes it ideal for traveling with family and friends.

This model comes with 50 channels and 142 privacy codes. Therefore, you will have many communication options when driving, hiking, or camping.

It is important to note that you can choose between rechargeable batteries or AA disposable batteries. It also comes with multiple charging options.

The most outstanding feature of this model is that it is water-resistant. It also features sturdy construction to ensure it lasts for a long time.

The only downside of this model is that the rechargeable batteries last for fewer hours. In addition, if you leave it on the charger for a long time, the battery life will reduce.

Pros

• It has a sturdy construction
• It comes with NOAA weather channels
• It is very easy to use
• It comes with a rechargeable battery
• It comes with multiple charging options
• It comes with 50 Channels and 142 privacy codes

Cons

• The rechargeable batteries included last fewer hours

3. Retevis RT22 (Best 6 Pack)

If you are searching for a reliable walkie-talkie for larger groups, the Retevis RT22 is a solid choice for you. With this affordable model, you can also let your kids get in on the action.

The most outstanding feature of this model is that it comes with 16 channels for two-way communication. Most enthusiasts recommend this model because it provides great performance for the price.

The compact design also makes it easy to carry it around. It is also designed to have a wide range when compared to other options available today.

Once you start using it, you will notice that it offers excellent audio quality. In addition, it has a good battery life for the price.

The other unique feature is that it comes with an emergency alarm. We recommend it because of its hands-free design.

The only downside is that it only comes with a 6-way charging station. It does not have a USB option.

Pros

• It has a lightweight design
• It comes with 16 channels
• It has a good battery life
• It is very affordable
• It comes with an emergency alarm
• It provides great audio quality

Cons

• It only comes with a 6-way charging station. There is no separate individual charging!

4. Motorola Solutions T470 (Best Value for Money)

The Motorola Solution T470 2-Way Radios are popular because it has a great battery life when compared to other options. It is worth mentioning that alkaline batteries last up to 28 hours.

On the other hand, the included NiMH 800 mAH rechargeable battery lasts up to 12 hours. You can also use rechargeable NiMH 1300 mAH that lasts up to 18 hours.

The long battery life makes this model ideal for road trips and other outdoor adventures like camping. It also has a durable design, making it ideal for rugged use.

The other unique feature is its weather safety feature. It also has a good range and easy-to-use controls.

We recommend it because it comes with an easy-to-read screen. In addition, it comes with 22 channels plus 121 privacy codes. You can also initiate a group call.

The only downside of this model is that it is not waterproof. It also takes some time to learn how to use it well.

Pros

• It comes with rechargeable batteries
• It has a group call function
• It has a durable construction for rugged use
• It comes with an LED flashlight
• It has a vibrating call option

Cons

• It is not waterproof.

5. Arcshell AR-6 (Best Battery Life)

The Arcshell AR-6 is ideal for enthusiasts searching for a budget-friendly car-to-car walkie-talkie. These rechargeable long-range two-way radios come with 16 channels for two-way communication.

It has a sleek and compact design, making it very easy to carry and store when not needed. Your purchase comes with a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery that charges quickly.

We recommend this model for beginners because it is very easy to use. It also has a decent range, making it ideal for road trips.

However, this model could be more durable. It also has a simple design with no bells and whistles.

Pros

• It comes with 16 channels
• It is very easy to use
• It has VOX Hands free options with an earpiece
• It is water resistant
• It has a decent range

Cons

• It has a simple design and is not very durable

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider When Buying a Car to Car Walkie Talkies

When purchasing a walkie talkie, it is important to consider the environment you will be using them in. If you are looking for something to use while hiking or camping, portability and durability should be your main priorities. If you need something for work, range and clarity may be more important to you.

By understanding your needs, you can find the perfect walkie talkies for your situation. In the case of a car road trip walkie talkie you should consider the following factors:

1. Type of Service

There are two basic services available, as outlined by the FCC.

The Family Radio Service (FRS) has a frequency range of around 462 and 467 MHz and covers up to a quarter a mile. The coverage is two miles radius within an antenna, but it relatively covers a short distance.

It is preferable when going to places that need short coverage ranges.

The General Mobile Radio Service supports fifteen channels, is more expensive than the FRS, covers a five-mile radius, and is more reliable.

Unlike the FRS, which requires a license, you must be 18 years and have a permit. They are more durable and practical hence worth the wait.

2. Frequency

There are two commonly used frequencies;  Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High-Frequency (VHF) radios. It is important to note that UHF radios cannot communicate with VHF radios.

UHF radios are mostly recommended because their signals can penetrate steel and concrete. They, however, cannot penetrate glass. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor communication.

VHF is efficient for long distant communication. It has a good range of view (with no buildings or mountains).

They are efficient for outdoor activities, such as on golf courses or waterways. They are not recommended for road trips with visible obstructions.

3. Battery Life

It is vital to have a car walkie-talkie with long battery life in case of an emergency when on a road trip or safari.

Most walkie-talkies use AA or AAA batteries. They are reliable when you don’t have access to an electric outlet when on a safari. Ensure that you buy extra batteries since their battery life is not long.

Built-in rechargeable batteries are the best since they can hold a charge for hours. Nickel-Cadmium has a long life, is heavy, and can cause memory burn. Nickel-Metal Hydride is less likely to cause memory burn but has overcharging problems.

Lithium-Ion has no memory burn or overcharging problems but is very expensive. Ensure that your car has a USB port to charge the walkie-talkie that has a USB port or purchase a walkie-talkie USB charging dock.

4. Size and Weight

The current generation of walkie-talkies are light and portable. This makes them convenient to carry around and avoids bulk and discomfort when traveling.

As small as six inches, the sizes weigh below five ounces (150 grams). Most have a retractable antenna to compact them to a smaller size when not in use.

Small-sized walkie-talkies are easy to fit in the pocket or be fitted on a belt.

5. Durability and Built Quality

Choose your walkie-talkie depending on the toughness of the trip or safari. A brick format is efficient where there is the risk of dropping the device from a distance.

Some walkie-talkies are designed to withstand dust, have shock absorbers, are water-resistant, and can withstand harsh weather conditions. These are recommended for trips and other outdoor activities.

Despite the design, it is essential to take measures to ensure durability. For example, purchase a belt holster for your walkie-talkie to avoid dropping or have a protective case as an added protective measure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s review some of the Frequently Asked Questions on the best Car-To-Car Walkie-Talkies.

1. Do walkie-talkies need line-of-sight?

According to Rocky Talkie Guide, 2-way radio signals travel in a straight line until they bounce off or are absorbed by objects.

The end result is that UHF walkie-talkies are generally considered “line-of-sight” devices.

2. Can different brands of two-way radios communicate?

According to engineers at VHFDental.com, any two or more brands of walkie-talkie CAN be made to work with each other, provided that they are on the same frequency band, AND provided that they are or can be programmed to use the same frequencies.

3. What 2-Way Radio has the longest range?

The Midland GXT1030VP4 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio; it boasts an up to the 36-mile range and has 50 channels and 142 privacy codes to more easily stay in touch with your party.

4. How far will a 2-way radio reach?

Many consumer radios advertise a 30-mile range, but the truth is that most basic consumer radios will not provide anything near this distance.

Additionally, according to TrentOnSocial.com, On average, a standard two-way radio can communicate around half a mile to 2 miles.

Final Words

So, what are the best car-to-car walkie-talkies for a road trip? It really depends on your needs and budget.

Our best recommendation is the Motorola Talkabout T402. This is because of its energy efficiency, waterproof design, and impressive range of up to 35 miles in a direct line of sight.

If you want something that’s simple and easy to use, the Motorola Solutions T470 might be a good option.

If you need more features and durability or want something waterproof, check out the Midland GXT1030VP4 or the Arcshell AR-6 Walkie-Talkie.

Finally, if you are traveling in an entourage of more than two cars, we recommend the Retevis RT22, as it comes in a pack of 6 Walkie Talkies.

Whichever set of walkie-talkies you choose, we hope you have a great road trip!

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API